Ethics To Investigate Filner

The House ethics committee has created an investigative subcommittee to review charges filed against Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.) in August for assaulting a United Airlines employee.

But the committee decided to postpone that investigation until officials in Loudoun County, Va., have concluded their own inquiry into Filner's actions at Dulles International Airport when he allegedly pushed an airline employee in the baggage claim area. 

The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct voted to establish the investigate panel Tuesday, according to a notice posted on its Wednesday.

Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) will chair the panel, and Rep. Gresham Barrett of South Carolina will serve as the ranking Republican. Reps. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) and Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) will also serve on the subcommittee.

Filner was arrested at Dulles after allegedly pushing the United employee, while trying to enter part of the airport that is off-limits to passengers in an attempt to get his bag. Witnesses told various news outlets afterward that the congressman was complaining about the time it took to him and other passengers on his flight to retrieve their luggage.